The Pew Research Center recently released its ninth annual study on global restrictions on religion. Most of the findings are grim, but one, in particular, stood out. Nigeria has the second highest level (out of 198 countries) of social hostility around religion. This helps one understand why more Nigerians crossed the Mediterranean than any other country last year.

21Wilberforce has documented this on our travels to Nigeria and in our extensive interactions with people on the ground. Some of the issues are well known. Others are not.

Boko Haram, elements of which have now declared allegiance to ISIS, has declared jihad on the Nigerian government and the United States. But it is far from the only concern of violence from non-state actors.

In 2017 Fulani extremists in the Middle-Belt committed a higher proportion of killings than did Boko Haram. Just a few days ago, as many as 86 were killed in Plateau State. And while no group has claimed responsibility, 466 similar attacks over the past six years in Nigeria and neighboring countries.

Unlike in the past, when violence was occurring between Fulani herders and predominantly Christian farmers, attackers are using higher powered guns and more sophisticated tactics. A lack of government attention or an effective response to these changing dynamics is driving social hostilities. Sadly, we are seeing more and more Christian farming communities responding in the justice vacuum by attacking innocent Fulani people.

While social hostilities are the largest concern, the Nigerian government has also contributed to violence on innocent victims. For example, Amnesty International recently reported that the government fired missiles into a village to try and stop an attack, indiscriminately harming both attackers and villagers. And it is not only Christians who face violence. The Nigerian army, responsible for most of the nation’s security, massacred 347 Shia Muslims in the town of Zaria. Despite Nigerian government report that assigned blame, no military official has been held to account for this atrocity.

As advocates for justice for the vulnerable in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa, we know the danger of war induced violence and early warning signs of genocide which Nigeria is quickly sliding into. And the threats facing Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, are now magnified.

During an official visit to the White House this year, President Trump asked President Buhari to help bring an end to religious violence against all Nigerians. This was followed by Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback visiting Nigeria where he met with government officials, religious leaders and civil society groups. The focus of his trip was to explore what can be done to reduce the level of violence and to open the way for religious freedom taking place in Nigeria.

Religious freedom is an irreducible minimum for all Nigerians. The international community must call on the government of Nigeria to abide by this obligation and protect religious freedom for all.

And you can play a role. The Midland community has a remarkable history of seizing an opportunity to advocate for human rights and those persecuted for their beliefs. Remember “Rock the Desert”, the Christian Music festival in 2001 that drew more than 30,000 youth to Midland and that promoted the Sudan Peace Act? Later that year, Midland hosted the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church and 40 local congregations heard local and international speakers cry out for Sudan. And in 2002, a repeat of “Rock the Desert” tripled in size to 90,000 youth, again focused on Sudan. And then Sen. Brownback met with Midlanders for hours about Sudan.

Gov. Mike Huckabee will be the guest speaker at a 21Wilberforce dinner at the Horseshoe Arena a 6 p.m. on Oct. 8. The first Frank Wolf Speak Freedom Annual Award will be given to the city of Midland for its leadership in international religious freedom. For information about the dinner contact Elisabeth Doherty at elisabeth@21wilberforce.org.

Let our voices be heard once again. The current situation in Nigeria is dire and complex. Nigeria and the Lake Chad region need a special coordinator to bring a consistent and holistic approach to our policy on international support, counter-terrorism, food security, and economic trade. Now is the time for President Trump to appoint a well-respected person with the capacity to stand with Nigeria before it becomes too late.

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Randel Everett, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Midland, is founder and president of 21Wilberforce. He also is the former executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastored other churches in Florida, Virginia, Arkansas and Texas.

More Information

Gov. Mike Huckabee will be the guest speaker at a 21Wilberforce dinner at the Horseshoe Arena a 6 p.m. on Oct. 8. The first Frank Wolf Speak Freedom Annual Award will be given to the city of Midland for its leadership in international religious freedom. For information about the dinner contact Elisabeth Doherty at elisabeth@21wilberforce.org.